Injecting apparatus

ABSTRACT

An injecting apparatus and method for injecting a liquid additive at high pressure into an object having converging opposite ends, such as a fowl, in which there is a table upon which the object is placed, a set of nozzles for engaging one end portion of the object, a clamping member for engaging and partially surrounding the opposite end portion, and means for clamping the object between the nozzles and the clamping member while the fluid liquid additive is being injected. The nozzles are formed in two groups which vary in length and disposition with respect to each other in such a manner that their terminal portions approximately conform with the surface of the object to be injected, such as the breast of a fowl. The passages through the nozzles also vary in size so that a greater amount of liquid is introduced into certain portions of the object requiring more liquid additive, such as the breast portion of a fowl. The table is vertically adjustable to enable proper positioning of the object to be injected with respect to the nozzles. The means for injecting the liquid includes a piston and cylinder and there is means for adjusting the stroke of the piston and hence the amount of liquid additive which is injected. In injecting the liquid into a yieldable object such as a fowl, the fowl is compressed during the injecting operation to prevent escape of the liquid additive, and after the injecting operation is completed, is released to assume its normal shape.

United States Patent 1 Kudale et al.

INJECTING APPARATUS lnventors: Jagannath M. Kudale, Minneapolis;

Donovan H. Lumby, Brooklyn Center, both of Minn.

Land OLakes, Inc., Minneapolis, Minn.

Filed: Apr. 17, 1972 Appl. No.: 244,804

Assignee:

3,016,004 l/l962 Harper, Jr. at a]. 99/533 3,035,508 5/1962 Nelson"99/533 Primary ExaminerWayne A. Morse, Jr.

Assistant Examiner-Arthur 0. Henderson Attorney Frederick E. Lange andWilliam C. Babcock [57] ABSTRACT An injecting apparatus and method forinjecting a liq- June 19, 1973 uid additive at high pressure into anobject having converging opposite ends, such as a fowl, in which thereis a table upon which the object is placed, a set of nozzles forengaging one end portion of the object, a clamping member for engagingand partially surrounding the opposite end portion, and means forclamping the object between the nozzles and the clamping member whilethe fluid liquid additive is being injected. The nozzles are formed intwo groups which vary in length and disposition with respect to eachother in such a manner that their terminal portions approximatelyconform with the surface of the object to be injected, such as thebreast of a fowl. The passages through the nozzles also vary in size sothat a greater amount of liquid is introduced into certain portions ofthe object requiring more liquid additive, such as the breast portion ofa fowl. The table is vertically adjustable to enable proper Ipositioning of the object to be injected with respect to the nozzles.The means for injecting the liquid includes a piston and cylinder andthere is means for adjusting the stroke of the piston and hence theamount of liquid additive which is injected. In injecting the liquidinto a yieldable object such as a fowl, the fowl is compressed duringthe injecting operation to prevent escape of the liquid additive, andafter the injecting operation is completed, is released to assume itsnormal shape.

12 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 1 jjjf f 55 5 104 9 10 5 1 7 10.2 I i 2. 2[Mn 7 62 61 s .1..- 9' 24 77 I 109 f 25 3 may I I P y w ,i j; -5 was i101 M 1 W y j 2 W1 I 107, a ,2, l

if 22 84' Ii U" 51- =I 114 um 2 82 as 8 6 5. L W U 29 Hi||.., unm

Patented June 19, 1973 3,739,713

INJECTING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various attempts havebeen made in the past to introduce a treating agent or additive, such asbutter or oil, into fowl prior to cooking the same. By introducing someedible fat into the fowl below the skin, the need for basting isreduced. Furthermore, the edible oil is distributed through the birdduring cooking and provides for a more moist turkey when cooked.

One of the problems in connection with the introduction on a commercialscale of such an additive into fowl is that of providing apparatus bywhich the additive can be introduced relatively quickly and with aminimum amount of manual attention. Furthermore, it is desirable thatthe additive be introduced with a minimum amount of puncturing of theskin. When the skin is punctured, the fat tends to ooze out duringcooking through the openings leaving colored spots in the skin at thepoint where the fat leaves the skin. It is also desirable that theadditive be introduced so that it is relatively uniformly distributed.

The Tichy U.S. Pat. No. 2,418,914 teaches the intro duction of variousmaterials, including butter, into meat by a high pressure spray. Thesuggestion is made that the meat may include fowls although noparticular mention is made of any problems in connection with theintroduction of the fat into fowls as distinguished from other forms ofmeat. While Tichy recognizes that the substances are introduced into themeat without a visible point of entry, due to the very high speed atwhich the particles are introduced, it is believed that his processwould not result in any great scattering of the fat through the meat.Furthermore, Tichy does not disclose any apparatus suitable for use incommercial production.

The Harper et al U.S. Pat. No. 3,016,004 does disclose an apparatus anda process for introducing a fluid under high pressure into meat using anumber of nozzles in which the orifices are substantially greater thanthose proposed by Tichy. Thus, the arrangement of the Harper et alpatent would result in the introduction of greater quantities of thefluid into the meat. The Harper et al patent, however, is primarilyconcerned with injecting a curing liquid into a relatively flat piece ofmeat, such as bacon, and is not concerned with the problem of injectingan edible fat into an irregularly shaped meat product such as fowl.

The Schwall et al U.S. Pat. No. 3,366,491 is concerned specifically witha process for injecting fat into poultry and discloses running a largenumber of needles through the skin of the bird. This results in a muchbetter distribution of the edible fat into the poultry. in order,however, to obtain such better distribution, it is necessary to employ avery large number of needles and each of these needles leaves an openingthrough the skin through which the basting fluid oozes out during thecooking operation to produce the colored spots in the skin mentionedabove.

The Strandine et al U.S. Pat. No. 3,51 1,164 attempts to overcome theproblem of a better distribution of the fat through the poultry, withoutpuncturing the skin, by inserting relatively long needles parallel tothe pectoral muscles, the needles being inserted through the posterioropening. The needle or needles are preferably kept entirely within thePectoralis superficialis. The method employed by the Strandine et alpatent, by reason of the fact that the needles have a number of lateralopenings, tends to result in introduction of the edible fat at a numberof points in the poultry. The fat still, however, tends to collect inpockets. Furthermore, the method employed by Strandine et al involvesthe insertion of needles along definite paths and the careful insertionof these needles requires a substantial amount of time.

Both the Earl et al U.S. Pat. No. 3,232,209 and the Panek U.S. Pat. No.3,556,808 are concerned with apparatus for injecting predeterminedamounts of an additive through needles which are inserted into the meat.There is no provision, however, for properly placing the meat withrespect to the needles or of handling meat such as poultry havingopposite ends which converge towards their outer extremities.Furthermore, these patents again employ needles which puncture the skin,if the apparatus is employed with fowl.

The arrangements of Strandine et al, Schwall et al, Earl et al, andPanek, previously mentioned, all have the further disadvantage that theinsertion of needles through the skin may result in the introduction ofbacteria into the interior of the bird and the transfer of bacteria fromone fowl to another. It is quite common, despite efforts to avoid it,for there to be a certain amount of bacteria present on the skin of anypoultry product. One form of bacteria may be salmonella. Normally, thisbacteria remains on the surface of the skin and is partially destroyedupon freezing and further destroyed when it is subsequently cooked.Where, however, needles are inserted through the skin before a poultryhas been fully frozen, the bacteria on the skin may be carried into theinterior. Furthermore, unless extreme care is taken to sterilize theneedles between each operation, bacteria from one bird may betransferred to another.

A further disadvantage of any apparatus employing needles is that thepoultry must be quite cold in order to prevent the excessive loss ofbody juices when the needles are removed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is concerned with anapparatus for injecting a liquid additive into an object havingconverging end portions, such as a fowl. The invention is particularlydesigned for use with a fowl but does have applications in other fields.The apparatus has means for injecting the liquid additive under highpressure through the nozzles so that the liquid penetrates the skinwithout appreciably rupturing the same. A table is provided whichsupports the fowl or other object during injection and there are aplurality of nozzles for engaging one end of an object and a clampingmember engaging the other end of the object. The clamping member andnozzles are brought together to clamp the fowl or other object betweenthem during the injection procedure. The clamping member preferablypartially surrounds the portion of the object which it engages so as toretain it firmly in position. The table upon which the object is placedis disposed the proper distance beneath the clamping member and thenozzle assembly.

The table is preferably adjustable in order to accommodate the apparatusfor different sized fowl and to insure that the nozzles are in a properposition with respect to the breast of the fowl or other object to beinjected. The table may also be provided with longitudinal guide meansto insure that the fowl remains parallel to the table during theinjecting process.

There are preferably two groups of nozzles, where the object beinginjected is a fowl. The two groups are disposed on opposite sides of thelongitudinal center of the fowl and the nozzles vary in length anddisposition with respect to each other so that their terminal portionsapproximately conform with the breast of the fowl. Furthermore, thepassages through the nozzles are preferably of varying sizes so that theopenings in the nozzles adjacent the portions having the larger amountof flesh are larger than the other of the nozzles so that a greateramount of liquid additive is introduced into the portions of the fowlhaving the greater amount of flesh to be injected.

In carrying out our method of injection, the fowl is preferably clampedwith sufficient force that the nozzles all firmly engage the breast ofthe fowl and so that the fowl is compressed to prevent escape of thefluid additive. After the injection operation is completed, the fowl isquickly released to permit the fowl to return to substantially itsoriginal shape while preventing escape of the fluid additive as the fowlis withdrawn from engagement with the nozzles.

As pointed out above, while the apparatus and process are particularlyconcerned with the injection of turkeys, they are applicable to otherobjects where the objects converge towards their opposite ends. Otherobjects and features of the invention will be apparent from aconsideration of the accompanying specification, claims and drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is an elevational view of ourimproved apparatus shown partly schematically;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the same apparatus;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the injection head;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the pump for supplying liquidadditive to the injection head, the section being taken along the line44 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view showing the electrical control box.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to FIG. 1, thenumeral generally indicates a frame upon which the injecting apparatusis mounted. The injecting apparatus comprises a table 12 comprising apan 13 to which is secured a pair of bars 14 and 15 supporting aplurality of parallel rods 17. The innermost of the rods 17 are spacedapart a substantial distance to provide a recess in which the backboneof the turkey can rest. The bar 15 has a recess 19 cut therethroughwhich is aligned with a similar recess 20 in the bottom of the pan. Thisrecess is also in line with the space between the innermost of the bars17 so that an opening extends through the central portion of the pan andthe table for a substantial distance and for a purpose presently to bedescribed. The pan 13, the bars 14 and 15 and the rods 17 are supportedon a post 21 mounted on a guide 22 for vertical movement. The post 21 isconnected to a post 23 of the frame 10 by a pair of pivoted links 24 and25. It will be obvious that because of the pivotal connection providedby links 24 and 25, post 21 will remain in a parallel relationship withrespect to bar 23 as it is moved upwardly and downwardly by means laterto be described. The crosssectional area of post 21 is substantiallysmaller than the cross-sectional area of the interior of guide 22 topermit lateral movement of post 21 as the ends of links 24 and 25connected to the post travel an arcuate path as they move up and down.Partially surrounding the table 12 is a platform 27. This platform issupported by post 23, and further posts 29, 33, 34, and other posts (notshown). Secured to this platform 27 is a vertical bracket 30 to which inturn is secured an injection head 31. The injection head 31 has ahousing 32 having a front wall 33 which slopes downwardly andbackwardly. Extending out of the front wall are two rows of nozzles 35and 36. As is evident from FIG. 3, these nozzles diverge from each othermoving from top to bottom. Furthermore, as is evident from FIG. 1, thenozzles extend outwardly from the back wall of head 31 progressivelyshorter distances starting from the top. As will be discussed in moredetail later, the nozzles have apertures of varying sizes, the aperturesof the uppermost nozzles being larger than those of the lowermostnozzles. This is shown in FIG. 3 in which the orifices are representedby central dots. It will be noted that the orifices of the top nozzles35 and 36 are larger than those of the lower ones. The orifices throughthe upper nozzles are made larger because of the fact that there is agreater amount of meat adjacent the lower portion of the breast thannear the upper portion. The angular disposition of the nozzles and thevarying length are designed to make the ends of the nozzles conform withthe contour of the breast of a turkey or other similar fowl. As will benoted in FIGS. 1 and 2, in which a turkey 38 is shown as disposed on thetable 12, the turkey is positioned on its back so that the lower portionof the breast is adjacent the uppermost of the nozzles 35 and 36 and sothat the backbone of the turkey is disposed between the inner of therods 17. Because of this arrangement, the turkey tends to be held in alongitudinal position and the spaced bars resist turning of the turkeywith respect to the table.

It will also be noted that with the turkey lying on its back, thelongitudinal axis of the nozzles 35 and 36 is disposed at an angle ofapproximately 45 with respect to the front wall of the breast of theturkey. The pectoral muscles of the turkey tend to run generallyparallel to the lower surface of the turkey (the upper surface in thedrawing). The nozzles thus tend to be disposed at an angle ofapproximately 45 or less with respect to the pectoral muscles. It hasbeen found that it is desirable that the fluid be injected at an angleof from 15 to with respect to the general disposition of the peetoralmuscles.

Disposed at the opposite end of the fowl 38 from the nozzles 35 and 35is a posterior engaging member 40 shaped in the form of a frustrum of ahollow pyramid which is shown as square in cross-section. In otherwords, the posterior engaging member has four sloping straight walls,all of which slope inwardly as they approach the rear of member 40.These walls are thus designed to engage and partially surround theposterior portion of the fowl 38 so as to hold it firmly againstsidewise movement. Secured to the rear of the posterior engaging member40 is a yoke 41 which is pivotally secured to a bar 42. This bar 42 is,in turn, pivotally secured at 43 to an ear 44 secured to the verticalpost 21. Rigidly secured to the upper end of bar 42 is a handle member45 which projects in the general direction of the injection head 31. Itwill be readily apparent that an operator standing to one side of themachine, by gasping handle 45, can pull the bar 42 forwardly about thepivot 43 and press the clamping member 40 into engagement with theturkey 38, moving the breast portion of the same against the nozzles 35and 36. As has been previously pointed out, despite the fact that thefowl tends to be somewhat soft and resilient, it is held against anytwisting movement by reason of the back bone extending into the recessbetween the innermost bars 17 and by reason of the cupping engagementbetween the clamping member 40 and the rear of the bird. Furthermore,the nozzles 35 and 36 are disposed so as to engage the bird on oppositesides and further retain the same against sidewise movement.

The means for supplying the liquid additive to the nozzles 35 and 36will now be described. The liquid additive is normally maintained in atank 50 through which runs a heating coil 51. This heating coil issupplied with hot water from a suitable source 52 of hot water, therebeing a pump 53 to circulate the water from the source 52 through thecoil 51. It is, of course, to be understood that an ordinary domesticsource of hot water may be employed for supplying the water to coil 51in which case the normal pressure exerted on the water would makeunnecessary the provision of a pump, such as pump 53. As a result of theheating coil 51, the additive is kept in a liquid state. One additivewhich is particularly desirable in the case of fowl is butter which isnormally relatively solid at room temperatures. By heating it throughthe use of a heating coil, such as coil 51, the butter is maintained ina liquid state.

Referring to the injector head 31, the housing 32 has a hollow portionwhich hollow portion is indicated in dotted lines by the referencenumeral 55. The inner portions of nozzles 35 and 36 are connected bypassages not shown to hollow portion 55. This hollow portioncommunicates with a throat 56 which, in turn, is connected to a supplypipe 57. The supply pipe 57 forms an integral extension of the outlet ofa pump 58. The pump 58 is shown in section in FIG. 4. It will be notedthat the pump has a piston 59 movable within a cylinder 60. The cylinder60 is secured in fluid-tight relation to a fluid distributor block 61.The piston 59 is secured to a piston rod 62 which has a transversepassage 63 extending therethrough. Communicating with the transversepassage is a valve seat 64 against which seats a spring pressed valve65. The fluid distributor block 61 has an inlet passage 67 and an outletpassage 68. A restrictor 69 is placed in the outlet passage. The inletpassage 67 communicates with the space beneath the piston 59 and is incommunication with the transverse passage 63.

The inlet passage 67 is connected to a conduit 70 and the outlet passage68 to a conduit 71. Secured to the distributor block 61 are two pipes 72and 73. Both conduits are secured to the block in fluid-tight relation,pipe 72 being in communication with the inlet passage 67 and pipe 73 incommunication with the outlet passage 68 through the restrictor 69. Asuitable seal 74 is provided in the block 61 to guard against loss offluid around the piston rod 62. As best shown in FIG. 2, the verticalpipes 72 and 73 are connected to the housing 32 of the injector head.These pipes communicate with an annular passage 76 in housing 32 whichextends annularly around a substantial part of the circumferentialportion of the housing 32. One end of the passage 76 communicates withthe pipe 72 and the opposite end with the pipe 73. It will thus beapparent that fluid entering the inlet passage 67 can pass up throughpipe 72 around through the inner portion of the injector head, throughthe passage 76 and out through passage 73, the restrictor 69 to pipe 71.

Inlet pipe 71) connects with the outlet of a pump 78 operated by ahydraulic motor 79. The inlet of the pump 78 is connected through a pipe77 to the interior of the tank 50 containing heated butter or otherliquid additive. The pipe 77 preferably extends to a point adjacent thebottom of tank 50. Pipe 71 connected to the outlet'of pump 58 is alsoconnected to tank 50 and acts as a return line. Thus, when the pump isoperating and no liquid is being injected into a fowl, the liquid fluidflows from tank 50, through the pump 78, pipe 7 0, inlet passage 67 ofpump 58, pipe 72, the annular passage 76 of housing 32, pipe 73, therestrictor 69, and the return pipe 71 back to the tank 50. Thus, heatedfluid is constantly circulated through the injector head 31 to maintainit at a proper temperature so that when liquid additive is introducedthrough pipe 57 for injection through the nozzles 35 and 36, the liquidadditive will not be cooled upon being introduced into the injectorhead.

The hydraulic motor 79 is operated by a hydraulic fluid pump through twopipes 80 and 81, pipe 81 being the supply pipe and pipe 80 the returnpipe. While we have shown hydraulic motor 79 schematically as a rotarymotor, this is for purposes of illustration only and it is to beunderstood that any suitable hydraulic motor can be employed, such as areciprocating piston type of motor. In this case, the pump 78 could be areciprocating piston type of pump, such as pump 58.

Referring to the operation of pump 58, when piston rod 62 is movedupwardly, the valve 65 in the piston 59 is held closed by the springengaging the same and by the downward pressure of the liquid. The liquidabove the piston 59 is thus forced upwardly through pipe 57. At the sametime, due to the fact that the valve 65 is closed, liquid additivesupplied by pump 78 through pipe 70 flows in on the underside of thepiston 59, tilling the space in the cylinder beneath the piston 59. Whenthe piston rod 62 moves downwardly, valve 65 is forced off of its seatand liquid beneath the piston 59 flows through the transverse passage 63and past the valve 65 t0 the space above the piston 59. Thus, the spacein the cylinder above the piston 59 is refilled ready for the nextupward movement of piston 59. Because of the restrictor 69 in the returnline, there is always sufficient pressure in the inlet passage 67 toforce valve off of its seat as the piston 59 moves downwardly. It is tobe understood that the pressure of the fluid flowing through pipe 57 ismuch higher than that supplied by pump 78. All-that the pump 78 needs todo is to supply sufficient pressure to insure adequate circulation ofthe fluid through the head 31 and to provide an adequate supply of fluidfor introduction into the pump 58 when it is being operated. The pump58, on the other hand, must supply very high pressures. In actualpractice, pressures from 600 to 1000 pounds per square inch are employedin order to secure the very high pressure necessary to cause theinjected liquid additive to pass through the skin of the fowl.

While the details of the nozzles and injector head do not form part ofour invention, it is desirable that some means be employed for releasingthe liquid additive suddenly through the nozzles. This may take theform,

for example, of a snap action valve mechanism which opens abruptly whenthe pressure reaches the desired injecting pressure.

The piston rod 62 of pump 58 is operated by a hydraulic motor 82 whichis of the reciprocating piston type. Hydraulic fluid is supplied to oneside of the piston by supply pipe 83 and at the other side of the pistonby pipe 84. Piston rod 62 is moved upwardly by hydraulic motor 82 whenit is desired to force fluid through pipe 67 into the injector head 31.When injection is completed, the piston is moved downwardly by the motor82.

Reference has been made to hydraulic fluid flowing through pipes 80, 81,83, and 84. The means for forcing hydraulic fluid flow through thesepipes will now be described. Located on a platform extension 87 of themain frame are two hydraulic pump units 85 and 86. Each of these pumpunits include a container filled with hydraulic fluid and a rotaryhudraulic pump immersed in the fluid. The conduit 80 previously referredto is connected to the outlet pump unit 85 and conduit 81 is connectedto the inlet passage of the pump unit 85. Conduits 83 and 84 connectedto the hydraulic cylinder 82 are connected to pump unit 86 which thuscontrols the operation of the hydraulic unit 82.

The pump units 85 and 86 are driven by electric motors 88 and 89,respectively. Located on the housings of pump units 85 and 86 are twoaccumulators 91 and 92, respectively. These accumulators serve toaccumulate the hydraulic liquid under pressure and to deliver it to thehydraulic motors 79 and 82 in greater volume for a short period of timethan would be possible if the liquid were supplied directly by the pumpsdriven by motors 88 and 89. Also extending upwardly from the housings ofpump units 85 and 86 are two conduits 93 and 94 which support anelectrical control box 96. As

is evident from FIG. 5, this control box 96 has a series of switchbuttons 98 extending thereacross. Also extending thereacross is a seriesof lights 99. One of the lights 99 is associated with each of the switchbuttons 98 and acts as a pilot light to indicate that the circuitcontrolled by that switch is closed. One of the switches 98 is employedto control the energization of motor 88 and another to controlenergization of motor 89. Other of the switches 98 may be used tocontrol various solenoid valves controlling the delivery of fluidthrough the conduits 80, 81, 83, and 84. The conduits 93 and 94 housevarious conductors extending between the switches 98 and the devicescontrolled by them.

It has previously been stated that post 21 carrying the table 12 ismounted in a guide 22 for vertical movement. Because of the pivotedlinks 24 and 25, this movement is parallel to the post 23 to which thelinks 24 and 25 are pivotally connected. Associated with the lowermostlink 25 is a cam 100 which is secured to a shaft 101 shownschematically. The shaft 101 is, in turn, connected through a suitablemechanical connection 102 to a handle 103 associated with a calibrateddial 104. The calibrations 104 may, for example, be in terms of weightunits representing possible weights of various fowl. After a fowl hasbeen weighed or its weight estimated, a fowl is placed on the table 12and the arm 103 is adjusted to assume a position corresponding to theweight of the turkey. This results in rotation of cam 100 to raise orlower lever 25 and hence to raise or lower the post 21 and thus thetable 12. The advantage of this is that a fowl 38 can be moved to assumethe optimum position with respect to the nozzles 35 and 36. It will beobvious that with a large bird, it is desirable to have the table 12much lower than with a small bird. It is also to be noted that the lever42, to which the clamping member 40 is secured, is pivotally secured atits base to a bracket 44 carried by the post 21. Thus, as post 21 ismoved upwardly and downwardly, the clamping member 40 is similarly movedup or down so that its position with respect to the table 12 remainsrelatively constant. The importance of this is that initially when thefowl is first placed on the table with the backbone resting between theinner ones of the bars 17, the position of the rear end of the fowl isrelatively constant with respect to the table, regardless of the size ofthe fowl. Hence, it is not desired to have the position of the tableshift with respect to the clamping member 40.

It is desirable to adjust the amount of liquid injected by high pressurepump 58 through the nozzles 35 and 36 in accordance with the weight ofthe fowl. For this purpose, we have provided a switch 105. This isconnected through conductors 106 and 107 to a solenoid valve 1 14 whichcontrols the connection of conduit 83 from the pump unit 86 to hydraulicmotor 82. The switch is carried by a lever 109 pivoted at 110. Theannular position of 109 and hence the vertical position of switch 105 isadjusted by a cam 111 also secured to shaft 101 and actuated throughmechanical connection 102 by the arm 103. It will be obvious that as arm103 is adjusted in accordance with the weight of the bird injected, thecam 111 is similarly adjusted to act on lever 109 to move the switch 105up or down. Switch 105 is of the precision snap switch type having abutton projecting downwardly therefrom. This button is designed to beengaged by a collar 1 12 secured to the piston rod 62. Obviously, as thehydraulic units 82 move the piston rod 62 upwardly to actuate piston 59of the pump 58, a collar 112 will eventually engage the button of switch105. When this happens, switch 105 is actuated to affect theenergization of solenoid valve 114 to stop operation of the hydraulicunit 82. This results in termination of the pumping operation so that nomore fluid is injected into the bird. The solenoid valve 114 may controlthe flow of hydraulic liquid through the hoses 83 and 84 in any suitablemanner. For example, when the circuit including conductors 106 and 107is interrupted by opening of switch 105, the solenoid valve 114 may beeffective to interrupt the connection of conduit 83 to pump unit 86 andto connect conduit 83 to a return to the reservoir to permit thehydraulic fluid beneath the piston of hydraulic motor 82 to return tothe reservoir.

While we have shown cams 100 and 111 both secured to the same shaft 101and actuated together, it is obvious that, if desired, the twoadjustments can be made independent of each other to provide moreflexibility.

The conduit 81 supplying fluid to pump 79 is connected to a secondsolenoid valve 115. The solenoid valve 115, when deenergized, iseffective to terminate flow of hydraulic fluid through pipes 80 and 81and pump 79 even though the motor 88 is running. For example, solenoidvalve 115 may interrupt the supply of fluid to supply pipe 81 and bypassit to the reservoir in the container of the pump unit 85. Thus, solenoidvalve 115, like solenoid valve 114, controls whether liquid is suppliedto the hydraulic motor 82 associated therewith.

OPERATION When it is desired to inject fowl, an adequate supply of theadditive is placed in container 50 and the pump 53 is started tocirculate hot water through the heat exchanger 51 to insure that theadditive, such as butter, is in a liquid state before the injectingoperation is to start. The proper switch buttons 98 are actuated tostart the motors 88 and 89 to, in turn, place into operation the pumpunits 85 and 86. Another of the switch buttons 98 is now operated toactuate the solenoid 115 to admit hydraulic fluid to the hose 81 and tointerrupt its bypass connection with the reservoir. This causes a flowof hydraulic fluid through the hoses 80 and 81 to actuate the hydraulicmotor 79 to, in turn, operate pump 78. This causes liquid additive toflow from the supply line 77 through pump 78, pipe 70, inlet passage 67of pump 58, pipe 72, the annular passage 76 in injector head 31, pipe73, restrictor 69 and pipe 71 back to the tank 50 containing the liquidadditive. As soon as this has taken place for a sufficient period oftime to cause the injector head 31 to be warmed up, it is now possibleto inject liquid additive into a fowl.

A fowl is now placed on the table 12 with the backbone of the fowldisposed between the inner bars 17 so that the fowl tends to remainparallel to the longitudinal axis of the table 12. After the weight ofthe bird has been determined either by estimating it or by weighing it,the arm 103 is adjusted to adjust the vertical height of table 12 to aposition corresponding to that of the weight of the bird. Where there isan interlock between the adjusting mechanism for the height of the table12 and the means for controlling the amount of liquid injected, asshown, the position of switch 105 is also adjusted by operation of arm103. As previously pointed out, the vertical adjustment of table 12 alsoresults in a vertical adjustment of the height of the pivot point 43 ofthe bar 42 carrying the clamping member 40. The handle 45 is now graspedand pulled forwardly to move the fowl 38 towards the nozzles 35 and 36until the nozzles 35 and 36 firmly engage the breast of the fowl.Another one of the switch buttons 98 is now actuated to cause solenoidvalve 114 to be operated to admit fluid to conduit 83 and to interruptits bypass connection with the reservoir. This causes operation ofhydraulic motor 82 to force the piston rod 62 upwardly. The uppermovement of piston rod 62 forces piston 59 of pump 58 upwardly to forcefluid under very high pressure such as, for example, from 600 to 1,000pounds per square inch. The disposition of the nozzles and the highpressure at which the additive is introduced causes the additive topenetrate the fowl through the skin without appreciably rupturing thesame and causes the additive to penetrate through a substantial portionof the fowl. The angular disposition of the nozzles with respect to thepectoral muscles tends to cause the liquid additive to splatter" withinthe fowl as it hits the various muscle walls. As soon as the piston hasmoved an amount corresponding to the desired injection of the fluid, thecollar 112 engages the button of switch 105 to deenergize the solenoidvalve 114, interrupting the connection of pump 86 to line 83 andconnecting this line to a bypass to the reservoir in the pump unit 86.The injecting process is now completed and the handle 45 can bereleased.

When the handle 45 is initially drawn forward to force the fowl 38against the nozzles 35 and 36, the cooperative effect of the clampingmember 40 and the nozzles 35 and 36 tends to compress the fowl. Thistends to prevent the escape of liquid additive during the injectingoperation from around the nozzles and through the posterior portion ofthe turkey. As soon as the injecting operation is completed and thehandle 45 is released, the fowl tends to expand again to substantiallyits original shape. Because of this sudden expansion of the bird 38, theliquid tends to be retained in the bird. In other words, while the birdis under compression, it is held between the nozzles 35 and 36 and theclamping member 40 and its volume is reduced somewhat. Upon the suddenexpansion of the bird after release of the clamping member 40, there isno longer any tendency for the fluid to leave the bird since the volumewithin the bird is greater than at the time of injection. It is thuspossible with our arrangement to have a minimun amount of liquidadditive lost as a result of the injecting operation.

As soon as the injecting operation is completed, the switch button 98controlling solenoid valve 1 14 is actuated to prevent re-energizationof solenoid valve 114 until another fowl has been placed on the table12. Reclosure of the valve will again cause fluid to flow throughconduit 83, through the underside of the piston of hydraulic motor 82 toagain repeat the operation.

With the apparatus shown, it is possible to rapidly inject the desiredamount of fluid into one fowl after another. The proper amount ofadditive is injected at the proper angle through the pectoral muscles.There is no noticeable rupture of the skin of the fowl and the liquidadditive is well distributed through the fowl.

While we have shown a specific embodiment of our apparatus for purposesof illustration and have described a specific method, it is to beunderstood that the scope of the invention is to be limited solely bythe scope of the appended claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. Apparatus for injecting a fluid additive into the flesh of a fowl toimprove the eating qualities thereof, said apparatus comprising:

a table for supporting the fowl,

a plurality of nozzles supported with respect to said table disposed soas to engage the breast of a fowl placed on the support on oppositesides of the longitudinal center of the fowl.

fluid delivery means for delivering to said nozzles a fluid additiveunder sufficiently high pressure that said fluid additive penetrates theskin of a fowl engaging said nozzles without substantial rupture of saidskin,

a posterior engaging member also supported with respect to said tableand designed to engage and partially surround the posterior portion of afowl, and

means for causing relative movement of said nozzles and said posteriorengaging member to clamp a fowl on said table against said nozzles.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the nozzles are fixedly securedwith respect to said table, in which said posterior engaging member ismovable with respect to said table to act as a clamping member, and inwhich said means for causing relative movement of said nozzles and saidposterior engaging portion is a means for moving said posterior engagingmember towards said nozzles to clamp the fowl therebetween.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the table and nozzles arerelatively adjustable in a vertical direction to accommodate theapparatus for fowl of various weights and to insure correct positioningof said nozzles with respect to the breast of the fowl despite suchvariations in weight and hence of size of the fowl.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 in' which the nozzles are fixed in avertical direction and the table is vertically adjustable with respectto the nozzles and the posterior engaging member.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said fluid delivery means includesa piston and a cylinder in fluid communication with said nozzles, andmeans for adjusting the stroke of the piston and hence the amount offluid additive introduced into the fowl.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the table has guide means to engagethe fowl to maintain the longitudinal axis of the fowl parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the table.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said plurality of nozzles comprisestwo groups of nozzles varying in length and disposition with respect toeach other so that their terminal portions approximately conform withthe breast of a typical fowl.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 in which the passages through the nozzlesadjacent the portions of the fowl having the larger amounts of flesh tobe injected are larger than those through other of the nozzles so that agreater amount of fluid additive is introduced into the portions of thefowl having the greater amount of flesh to be injected.

9. Apparatus for injecting a fluid into an object having opposite endportions each converging towards its outer end, said apparatuscomprising:

a table for supporting the object to be injected,

a nozzle assembly supported with respect to said table and comprising ahousing and a plurality of nozzles projecting from said housing andextending outwardly to varying extents to conform with a portion of thesurface of one end portion of such an object,

means for delivering to said nozzles a fluid additive under highpressure for injection into such an object,

a member also supported with respect to said table and designed toengage and partially surround the opposite end of such an object, and

means for causing relative movement of said nozzle assembly and saidlast named member to clamp such an object against the nozzles.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 in which the table and nozzles arerelatively adjustable in a vertical direction so as to insure that thenozzles are properly positioned with respect to the object beinginjected, despite different sizes of the objects being injected.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the means for causing relativemovement of said nozzles and said posterior engaging member is capableof sufficient clamping force upon the fowl that said nozzles all firmlyengage the breast of the fowl and that the fowl is compressed to preventthe escape of the injected fluid additive.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 in which said means for causing relativemovement of said nozzles and said posterior member is quickly releasableto enable the fowl to quickly return to its original shape following theinjecting operation to prevent escape of the fluid additive.

1. Apparatus for injecting a fluid additive into the flesh of a fowl toimprove the eating qualities thereof, said apparatus comprising: a tablefor supporting the fowl, a plurality of nozzles supported with respectto said table disposed so as to engage the breast of a fowl placed onthe support on opposite sides of the longitudinal center of the fowl.fluid delivery means for delivering to said nozzles a fluid additiveunder sufficiently high pressure that said fluid additive penetrates theskin of a fowl engaging said nozzles without substantial rupture of saidskin, a posterior engaging member also supported with respect to saidtable and designed to engage and partially surround the posteriorportion of a fowl, and means for causing relative movement of saidnozzles and said posterior engaging member to clamp a fowl on said tableagainst said nozzles.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the nozzlesare fixedly secured with respect to said table, in which said posteriorengaging member is movable with respect to said table to act as aclamping member, and in which said means for causing relative movementof said nozzles and said posterior engaging portion is a means formoving said posterior engaging member towards said nozzles to clamp thefowl therebetween.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the table andnozzles are relatively adjustable in a vertical direction to accommodatethe apparatus for fowl of various weights and to insure correctpositioning of said nozzles with respect to the breast of the fowldespite such variations in weight and hence of size of the fowl.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 3 in which the nozzles are fixed in a verticaldirection and the table is vertically adjustable with respect to thenozzles and the posterior engaging member.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1in which said fluid delivery means includes a piston and a cylinder influid communication with said nozzles, and means for adjusting thestroke of the piston and hence the amount of fluid additive introducedinto the fowl.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the table has guidemeans to engage the fowl to maintain the longitudinal axis of the fowlparallel to the longitudinal axis of the table.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 1 in which said plurality of nozzles comprises two groups ofnozzles varying in length and disposition with respect to each other sothat their terminal portions approximately conform with the breast of atypical fowl.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 in which the passages throughthe nozzles adjacent the portions of the fowl having the larger amountsof flesh to be injected are larger than those through other of thenozzles so that a greater amount of fluid additive is introduced intothe portions of the fowl having the greater amount of flesh to beinjected.
 9. Apparatus for injecting a fluid into an object havingopposite end portions each converging towards its outer end, saidapparatus comprising: a table for supporting the object to be injected,a nozzle assembly supported with respect to said table and comprising ahousing and a plurality of nozzles projecting from said housing andextending outwardly to varying extents to conform with a portion of thesurface of one end portion of such an object, means for delivering tosaid nozzles a fluid additive under high pressure for injection intosuch an object, a member also supported with respect to said table anddesigned to engage and partially surround the opposite end of such anobject, and means for causing relative movement of said nozzle assemblyand said last named member to clamp such an object against the nozzles.10. The apparatus of claim 9 in which the table and nozzles arerelatively adjustable in a vertical direction so as to insure that thenozzles are properly positioned with respect to the object beinginjected, despite different sizes of the objects being injected.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 1 in which the means for causing relative movement ofsaid nozzles and said posterior engaging member is capable of sufficientclamping force upon the fowl that said nozzles all firmly engage thebreast of the fowl and that the fowl is compressed to prevent the escapeof the injected fluid additive.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 in whichsaid means for causing relative movement oF said nozzles and saidposterior member is quickly releasable to enable the fowl to quicklyreturn to its original shape following the injecting operation toprevent escape of the fluid additive.